Fish-BlockThis block reminds me of fish, thus the name but its real name is Old Maids Puzzle. I love the additional staggered triangles that appear when the blocks are put next to each other in the included example quilt layout. AccuQuilt GO! Dies and rotary cutting instructions are provided.

Fabric

Fabric A - Yellow fabric
Fabric B - Green fabric

 

AccuQuilt GO! Dies

8" Block

Cut 4 Fabric A Squares - GO!Square 2 1/2" 55059 or Value Die 55018 or use 55014 or 55017 2 1/2" Strip Cutter, then rotate 90° and sub cut into 2 1/2" squares

Cut 2 Fabric B Squares - GO!Square 2 1/2" 55059 or Value Die 55018 or use 55014 or 55017 2 1/2" Strip Cutter, then rotate 90° and sub cut into 2 1/2" squares

Cut 10 Fabric A Triangles - Go!Half Square 2" Finished Triangles: Die 55063 or Value Die 55018

Cut 10 Fabric B Triangles - Go!Half Square 2" Finished Triangles: Die 55063 or Value Die 55018

12" Block

fish-block-exCut 4 Fabric A Squares - GO!Square 3 1/2" 55006 or use 55032 or 55074 3" Strip Cutter, then rotate 90° and sub cut into 3 1/2" squares

Cut 2 Fabric B Squares - GO!Square 3 1/2" 55006 or use 55032 or 55074 3" Strip Cutter, then rotate 90° and sub cut into 3 1/2" squares

Cut 10 Fabric A Triangles - Go!Half Square 3" Finished Triangles: Die 55009

Cut 10 Fabric B Triangles - Go!Half Square 3" Finished Triangles: Die 55009

 

Rotary Cutting

8" Block

Cut 4 - 2 1/2" Squares from Fabric A

Cut 2 - 2 1/2" Squares from Fabric B

fish quilt exampleCut 5 - 2 7/8" Squares for half square triangles from Fabric A

Cut 5 - 2 7/8" Squares for half square triangles from Fabric B

12" Block

Cut 4 - 3 1/2" Squares from Fabric A

Cut 2 - 3 1/2" Squares from Fabric B

Cut 5 - 3 7/8" Squares for half square triangles from Fabric A

Cut 5 - 3 7/8" Squares for half square triangles from Fabric B

 

Block Assembly Instructions

1. Assemble ten Fabric A and Fabric B half square triangles. Refer to the Half Half square triangles made from squaresSquare Triangles from Squares diagram if using rotary cut pieces or visit the Half Square Triangles Quilting Basic Section for more information.

2. Finger press the seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Double check measurements of the half squares. If doing the 8" block, your half squares should measure 2 1/2" unfinished. If doing the 12" block, your half squares should measure 3 1/2" unfinished. If the square ended up too small, check your seam allowance is a scant 1/4" or if it was too big, trim down.

3. Arrange the 4 squares from Fabric A, 2 squares from Fabric B and 10 half square triangles cut from Fabric A and Fabric B as shown in the exploded view.

4. Starting with the first row, align, pin and sew the squares and half square triangles together to form the first row unit. Sew the remaining three rows in the same manner.

5. Press the seam allowances of each unit in opposite directions to make it easier to nest the seams.

6. Match the seam lines in the first and second row, nesting the seams then pin. Sew the first and second units together. Continue to add the third and fourth row units in this manner. Press the block on the back then the front.